Compartmentalized hot liquid storage container

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides methods and systems for a storage container that includes a first compartment that has an upper mouth-defining structure, a base portion, and at least one wall extending from the base, forming a cavity therein. A second compartment has an upper mouth-defining structure, a base portion, and at least one wall extending from the base, forming a cavity therein. The container contains a lid that is fixable to the upper mouth-defining structure of the second compartment, wherein the lid has a top surface and a bottom surface.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

The present patent application/patent claims the benefit of priority ofco-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/461,005, filed onFeb. 20, 2017, and entitled “Compartmentalized Hot Liquid StorageContainer,” the contents of which are incorporated in full by referenceherein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a storage container, and moregenerally relates to a storage container that contains at least a firstcompartment for storing a first food product, such as a hot liquid, anda second compartment for a second food product, such as dry items.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Storage containers, designed to store food or liquid, generally containa base that is engaged to a snap-on lid, and the engagement of thesnap-on lid to the base forms a relatively airtight seal. Storagecontainers such as this are well known and may be designed for eithermulti-use and single use. Generally, the base of these storagecontainers are clear, thus allowing a user to view the contentscontained within the storage container externally without opening thelid. Alternatively, the base of these storage containers may be opaqueor tinted by color for a more appealing look for consumers.

The prior art storage containers contain a lid that forms the airtightseal with the base, thus preventing the flow of air into and out of thecontainer, but also require contents to be mixed together for storing inthe same storage container. Consequently, there is a need in the art fora storage container with at least a first and second compartment forstoring a hot liquid and dry items separately.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a storage containerof the present invention includes a first container that has an uppermouth-defining structure, a base, and at least one wall extending fromthe base, forming a cavity therein. A second container has an uppermouth-defining structure, a base, and at least one wall extending fromthe base, forming a cavity therein, and a lid that is fixable to theupper mouth-defining structure of the second compartment, wherein thelid has a top surface and a bottom surface.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the storagecontainer includes a cavity of the first compartment that extends fromthe upper mouth defining structure to the base.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, thestorage container includes a cavity of the second compartment thatextends from upper mouth defining structure to the base.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, thestorage container includes a lip disposed on the first compartmenthaving an upper portion and a bottom portion and a lip disposed on thesecond compartment having an upper portion and a bottom portion, whereinthe bottom portion of the lip of the second compartment is engaged tothe upper portion of the lip of the first compartment, forming aselectively secured arrangement.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, thestorage container includes a first tab disposed on the firstcompartment.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, thestorage container includes a second tab disposed on the secondcompartment.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, thestorage container includes a third tab disposed on the lid.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, thestorage container includes a first compartment that has a base portionthat extends to an edge and a concentric wall that extends generallyupwardly from the edge of the base portion to a first upper mouthdefining structure. A second compartment has a base portion that extendsto an edge and a concentric wall that extends generally upwardly fromthe edge of the base portion to a second upper mouth defining structure,wherein the base portion of the second compartment is received withinthe first upper mouth defining structure of the first compartmentforming a selectively secured arrangement by friction fit. A lid has atop surface and a bottom surface that extends outward to a lip having anupper portion and a bottom portion, wherein the bottom portion of thelid engages the second upper mouth defining structure of the secondcompartment.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, thestorage container includes a base portion that is generally convex.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, thestorage container includes a shelf that extends outwardly from the wallof the first compartment to an edge and a concentric portion extendsupwardly from the edge.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, thestorage container includes a shelf that extends outwardly from the wallof the second compartment to an edge and a concentric portion extendsupwardly from the edge.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, thestorage container includes a mouth defining structure containing aconcentric portion of the first compartment that contains a lip thatextends outwardly.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, thestorage container includes a first compartment, a second compartment,and a lid that is opaque.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, thestorage container includes a container can withstand a temperature rangefrom about −25° F. (−31.66° C.) to about 212° F. (100° C.).

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, thestorage container includes a first compartment that has a base portionthat extends to an edge and a concentric wall that extends generallyupwardly from the edge of the base portion to a first upper mouthdefining structure, a shelf that extends outwardly from the concentricwall having an upper portion and a bottom portion. A second compartmenthas a base portion that extends to an edge and a concentric wall thatextends generally upwardly from the edge of the base portion to a secondupper mouth defining structure, a shelf extends outwardly from theconcentric wall having an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein thebase portion of the second compartment is received within the firstupper mouth defining structure and the bottom portion of the shelf ofthe second compartment is engaged to the shelf of the upper portion ofthe first compartment forming a selectively secured arrangement byfriction fit. A lid has a top surface and a bottom surface that extendsoutward to a lip having an upper portion and a bottom portion, whereinthe bottom portion of the lid engages the second upper mouth definingstructure of the second compartment.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, thestorage container includes a tab on the first compartment.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, thestorage container includes a tab on the second compartment.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, thestorage container includes a tab on the lid

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated and described herein with referenceto the various drawings, in which like reference numbers denote likemethod steps and/or system components, respectively, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the container of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the container of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the container of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the lid of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the second compartment;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the first compartment;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the container;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the edge of the lid;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the edge of the lid;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the mouth defining structure of the secondcompartment;

FIG. 11 is a side view of the mount defining structures of the lid andsecond compartment;

FIG. 12 is a side cut-away view of the engagement of the mouth definingstructures of the lid and second compartment;

FIG. 13 is a side cut-away view of the mouth defining structure of thefirst compartment;

FIG. 14 is a side view of the second compartment and first compartment.

FIG. 15 is a side cut-away view of the engagement of the mouth definingstructure of the second compartment and the first compartment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to thefollowing detailed description of the invention taken in connection withthe accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure.It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to thespecific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/orshown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescribing particular embodiments by way of example only and is notintended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Any and all patentsand other publications identified in this specification are incorporatedby reference as though fully set forth herein.

Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, thesingular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference toa particular numerical value includes at least that particular value,unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressedherein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to“about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a rangeis expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular valueand/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values areexpressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it willbe understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, a storage container isillustrated in FIG. 1 and is shown generally at reference numeral 10.The container 10 comprises a first compartment 12 having a base portion14 with an upper mouth defining structure 13 and a generally concentricwall 21 that extends substantially upwardly from the base portion 14,forming a cavity 15 therein, as shown in FIG. 6. The base portion 14 ofthe first compartment 12 may be generally convex in shape, asillustrated in FIG. 3. A second compartment 16, as shown in FIG. 5,comprises a base portion 18 having an upper mouth defining structure 19and a generally concentric wall 29 that extends substantially upwardlyfrom the base portion 18. The container 10 also includes a lid 20 thathas continuous top and bottom surfaces, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, The upper mouth defining structure 13 of thefirst compartment 12 contains a shelf 22 having an upper portion and abottom portion. The shelf 22 extends outwardly to an outer edge from thegenerally concentric wall 21, thus forming the shelf 22 structure havingthe upper portion and the bottom portion. A concentric portion 23extends upwardly from the outer edge of the shelf 22 to an upper edgethat contains a lip 17 that extends outwardly from the upper edge. Afirst tab 24 is also disposed on the upper mouth defining structure 13of the first compartment 12, and preferably engaged to or in closeproximity to the lip 17. Alternatively, the first tab 24 may be integralwith the lip 17 and extend outwardly from the lip 17. Although onlyillustrated with one first tab 24, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 13, two ormore first tabs 24 may extend from the lip 17 or be integral with thelip 17.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, the second compartment 16 contains acontinuous shelf 26 that extends outwardly to an outer edge from thegenerally concentric wall 29, thus forming the shelf 26 structure havingthe upper portion and the bottom portion. A concentric portion 27extends upwardly from the outer edge of the shelf 26 to an upper edgeand contains a lip 25 that extends outwardly from the upper edge. Asecond tab 28 is also disposed on the upper mouth defining structure 19of the second compartment 16, and preferably engaged to or in closeproximity to the lip 25, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 10. Alternatively, thesecond tab 28 may be integral with the lip 25 and extend outwardly fromthe lip 25. Although only illustrated with one second tab 28, two ormore second tabs 28 may extend from the lip 25 or be integral with thelip 25.

The base portion 18 of the second compartment 16 is generally flat. Thebottom portion of the shelf 26 of the second compartment 16 may beplaced adjacent to the upper portion of the shelf 22 of the firstcompartment 12, forming a selectively secured arrangement as shown inFIGS. 14 and 15. The diameter of the concentric portion 27 of the secondcompartment 16 has a diameter slightly less than the diameter of theconcentric portion 23 of the first compartment 16, allowing the secondcompartment 16 to be placed within the cavity 15 of the firstcompartment 12. The concentric portion 27 of the second compartment 16has the same general structure as the concentric portion 23 of the firstcompartment 12, except for the reduction in diameter, allowing thesecond compartment 16 to be held within the cavity 15 of the firstcompartment 12 by friction fit. The bottom portion of the lip 25 of thesecond compartment 16 rests upon the upper portion of the lip 17 of thefirst compartment 12. The fit also is water tight, so as not to allowliquid contents in the first compartment 12 to exit when the secondcompartment 16 is placed within the cavity 15 of the first compartment12.

The first tab 24 that extends slightly beyond the perimeter of the firstcompartment 12 and the second compartment 16. The user may grasp thefirst tab 24 and pull downwards, allowing the first compartment 12 toseparate from the second compartment 16. The second tab 28 extendsslightly beyond the perimeter of the first compartment 12 and the secondcompartment 16. The user may grasp the second tab 28 and pull upwards,allowing the lid 20 to separate from the first compartment 12.Alternatively, the second tab 28 may be pulled downwards, allowing thesecond compartment 16 to separate from the lid 20.

The lid 20 may cover the first compartment 12 or second compartment 16.Preferably, the lid 20 covers the second compartment 16, as the secondcompartment 16 sits above the first compartment 12, as described aboveand as shown in FIGS. 7, 11, and 12. The lid 20 has a top surface and abottom surface that extends substantially outwardly to an edge, as shownin FIGS. 8 and 9. The edge of the lid 20 is directed downwardly forminga first side portion 42 to a base portion 30 and then extending upwardlyforming a second side portion 44 to a concentric lip 34. A trough 40 isformed between the interior side of the first side portion 42, theinterior side of the base portion 30, and the interior side of thesecond side portion 44 that is concentric and surrounds the lid 20. Thelid 20 preferably covers the second compartment 16 and includes a thirdtab 36 that extends slightly beyond the perimeter of the secondcompartment 16. The user may grasp the third tab 36 and pull upwards,allowing the lid 20 to separate from the second compartment 16.

The bottom side of the trough 40 extends within the cavity 38 of thesecond compartment 16. In other words, the exterior side of the secondside portion 44 engages the interior side of the concentric portion 27of the second compartment and the bottom side of the trough 40 engagesthe upper portion of the shelf 26. The bottom portion of the lip 34 ofthe lid 20 engages the upper portion of the lip 25 of the lid 20.

The container 10 comprises a first compartment 12 and a secondcompartment 16, wherein the second compartment 16 is arranged in astacked configuration with the first compartment 12. For example, thesecond compartment 16 may be positioned above or on top of the firstcompartment 12, when the container 10 is placed in an upright positionsuch that it rests on the base portion 14 of the first compartment 12.However, other arrangements of the compartments (12, 16) are possible,such as the second compartment 16 below the first compartment 12.Alternatively, the first compartment 12 and the second compartment 16can be arranged in a side-by-side configuration. The second compartment16 contains a cavity 38 for retaining various items, such as dry foodand the like.

The first compartment 12 may consist of the larger of the twocompartments; however, the opposite may also be true. The secondcompartment 16 may have a smaller cavity 38 than the cavity 15 of thefirst compartment 12.

During use, the first compartment 12 contains a first food product andthe second compartment 16 contains a second food product. Preferably,the first food product contained within the first compartment 12 may bea soup or pho broth. The food product contained within the secondcompartment 16 may be meat, tofu, and/or vegetables meant to bedispersed and mixed within the soup or pho. It is intended to keep thesoup or pho from the food products of the second compartment 16 meant tobe mixed therein. The user is able to mix the food products from thefirst compartment 12 as desired and at the appropriate time. Thecontainer 10 is preferably a take-out container, allowing the user toarrive at home prior to mixing the food products of the secondcompartment 16 into the soup or pho of the first compartment 12.

It is preferable that the container 10 and it constituent components maybe constructed from materials able to withstand a wide range oftemperatures. The container 10 should be able to withstand freezingtemperatures in a freezer and high temperatures caused by heating in amicrowave, thus allowing a user to freeze liquids within the container10 and allow the user to heat liquids in a microwave. Preferably, thecontainer 10 should be able to withstand a temperature range from about−25° F. (−31.66° C.) to about 212° F. (100° C.), including all points inbetween. These temperature ranges are the expected temperature rangesthat the container 10 will experience during ordinary and intended use.

The container 10, including the first compartment 12, the secondcompartment 16, and the lid 20, may be constructed of a substantiallytransparent material, such as plastic that would allow a user to viewthe contents of the container 10 externally. As stated above, thecontainer 10 may alternatively be constructed of an opaque orcolor-tinted material, such as plastic. In another alternativeembodiment, the compartment (12, 16) and the lid 20 may be composed ofdifferent materials or at least composed of different colored materials.For example, the first compartment 12 may be composed of a black plasticand the second compartment 16 and lid 20 may be composed of atransparent or clear plastic.

In an alternative embodiment, the second compartment 16 may includecompartments for separating the food products contained within thesecond compartment 16.

Although the present invention has been illustrated and described hereinwith reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof,it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art thatother embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/orachieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples arewithin the spirit and scope of the present invention and are intended tobe covered by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A storage container comprising: a firstcompartment that has an upper mouth-defining structure, a base portion,and at least one wall extending from the base, forming a cavity therein;a second compartment that has an upper mouth-defining structure, a baseportion, and at least one wall extending from the base, forming a cavitytherein; and a lid that is fixable to the upper mouth-defining structureof the second compartment, wherein the lid has a top surface and abottom surface.
 2. The storage container of claim 1, wherein the cavityof the first compartment extends from upper mouth defining structure tothe base.
 3. The storage container of claim 1, wherein the cavity of thesecond compartment extends from upper mouth defining structure to thebase.
 4. The storage container of claim 1, further comprising a lipdisposed on the first compartment having an upper portion and a bottomportion and a lip disposed on the second compartment having an upperportion and a bottom portion, wherein the bottom portion of the lip ofthe second compartment is engaged to the upper portion of the lip of thefirst compartment, forming a selectively secured arrangement.
 5. Thestorage container of claim 1, further comprising a first tab disposed onthe first compartment.
 6. The storage container of claim 1, furthercomprising a second tab disposed on the second compartment.
 7. Thestorage container of claim 1, further comprising a third tab disposed onthe lid.
 8. A storage container comprising: a first compartment having abase portion that extends to an edge and a concentric wall that extendsgenerally upwardly from the edge of the base portion to a first uppermouth defining structure; a second compartment having a base portionthat extends to an edge and a concentric wall that extends generallyupwardly from the edge of the base portion to a second upper mouthdefining structure, wherein the base portion of the second compartmentis received within the first upper mouth defining structure of the firstcompartment forming a selectively secured arrangement by friction fit;and a lid having a top surface and a bottom surface that extends outwardto a lip having an upper portion and a bottom portion, wherein thebottom portion of the lid engages the second upper mouth definingstructure of the second compartment.
 9. The storage container accordingto claim 8, wherein the base portion is generally convex.
 10. Thestorage container according to claim 8, further comprising a shelf thatextends outwardly from the wall of the first compartment to an edge anda concentric portion extends upwardly from the edge.
 11. The storagecontainer according to claim 8, further comprising a shelf that extendsoutwardly from the wall of the second compartment to an edge and aconcentric portion extends upwardly from the edge.
 12. The storagecontainer according to claim 10, further comprising a mouth definingstructure containing a concentric portion of the first compartment thatextends to an upper edge and contains a lip that extends outwardlytherefrom.
 13. The storage container according to claim 8, wherein thefirst compartment, second compartment, and lid are opaque.
 14. Thestorage container according to claim 8, wherein the container canwithstand a temperature range from about −25° F. (−31.66° C.) to about212° F. (100° C.).
 15. A storage container comprising: a firstcompartment having a base portion that extends to an edge and aconcentric wall that extends generally upwardly from the edge of thebase portion to a first upper mouth defining structure, a shelf thatextends outwardly from the concentric wall having an upper portion and abottom portion; a second compartment having a base portion that extendsto an edge and a concentric wall that extends generally upwardly fromthe edge of the base portion to a second upper mouth defining structure,a shelf extends outwardly from the concentric wall having an upperportion and a lower portion, wherein the base portion of the secondcompartment is received within the first upper mouth defining structureand the bottom portion of the shelf of the second compartment is engagedto the shelf of the upper portion of the first compartment forming aselectively secured arrangement by friction fit; and a lid having a topsurface and a bottom surface that extends outward to a lip having anupper portion and a bottom portion, wherein the bottom portion of thelid engages the second upper mouth defining structure of the secondcompartment.
 16. The storage container according to claim 15, furthercomprising a tab on the first compartment.
 17. The storage containeraccording to claim 15, further comprising a tab on the secondcompartment.
 18. The storage container according to claim 15, furthercomprising a tab on the lid.
 19. The storage container according toclaim 15, wherein the first compartment, second compartment, and lid areopaque.
 20. The storage container according to claim 8, wherein thecontainer can withstand a temperature range from about −25° F. (−31.66°C.) to about 212° F. (100° C.).